TRV
Translation
King James Version
And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
Complete Jewish Bible
and there came up out of the river seven cows, fat and sleek; and they began feeding in the swamp grass.
Berean Standard Bible
when seven cows, well-fed and sleek, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.
American Standard Version
and, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favored: and they fed in the reed-grass:
World English Bible Messianic
and behold, there came up out of the river seven cattle, fat and sleek. They fed in the marsh grass,
Geneva Bible (1599)
And lo, there came vp out of the riuer seuen fat fleshed, and welfauoured kine, and they fedde in the medowe.
Young's Literal Translation
and lo, out of the River coming up are seven kine, fat in flesh, and of fair form, and they feed among the reeds;
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In the KJVVerse 1,214 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 41 verses 17–32
17 ¶ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
Here, I. Pharaoh relates his dream. He dreamt that he stood upon the bank of the river Nile, and saw the kine, both the fat ones and the lean ones, come out of the river. For the kingdom of Egypt had no rain, as appears, Zac 14:18, but the plenty of the year depended upon the overflowing of the river, and it was about one certain time of the year that it overflowed. If it rose to fifteen or sixteen cubits, there was plenty; if to twelve or thirteen only, or under, there was scarcity. See how many ways Providence has of dispensing its gifts; yet, whatever the second causes are, our dependence is still the same upon the first Cause, who makes every creature that to us that it is, be it rain or river.
II. Joseph interprets his dream, and tells him that it signified seven years of plenty now immediately to ensue, which should be succeeded by as many years of famine. Observe, 1. The two dreams signified the same thing, but the repetition was to denote the certainty, the nearness, and the importance, of the event, Gen 41:32. Thus God has often shown the immutability of his counsel by two immutable things, Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18. The covenant is sealed with two sacraments; and in the one of them there are both bread and wine, wherein the dream is one, and yet it is doubled, for the thing is certain. 2. Yet the two dreams had a distinct reference to the two things wherein we most experience plenty and scarcity, namely, grass and corn. The plenty and scarcity of grass for the cattle were signified by the fat kine and the lean ones; the plenty and scarcity of herb for the service of man by the full ears and the thin ones. 3. See what changes the comforts of this life are subject to. After great plenty may come great scarcity; how strong soever we may think our mountain stands, if God speak the word, it will soon be moved. We cannot be sure that tomorrow shall be as this day, next year as this, and much more abundant, Isa 56:12. We must learn how to want, as well as how to abound. 4. See the goodness of God in sending the seven years of plenty before those of famine, that provision might be made accordingly. Thus he sets the one over-against the other, Ecc 7:14. With what wonderful wisdom has Providence, that great housekeeper, ordered the affairs of this numerous family from the beginning hitherto! Great variety of seasons there have been, and the product of the earth is sometimes more and sometimes less; yet, take one time with another, what was miraculous concerning the manna is ordinarily verified in the common course of Providence, He that gathers much has nothing over, and he that gathers little has no lack, Exo 16:18. 5. See the perishing nature of our worldly enjoyments. The great increase of the years of plenty was quite lost and swallowed up in the years of famine; and the overplus of it, which seemed very much, yet did but just serve to keep men alive, Gen 41:29-31. Meat for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God shall destroy both it and them, Co1 6:13. There is bread which endures to everlasting life, which shall not be forgotten, and which it is worth while to labour for, Joh 6:27. Those that make the things of this world their good things will find but little pleasure in remembering that they have received them, Luk 16:25. 6. Observe, God revealed this beforehand to Pharaoh, who, as king of Egypt, was to be the father of his country, and to make prudent provision for them. Magistrates are called shepherds, whose care it must be, not only to rule, but to feed.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 17–32. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
Pharaoh's first dream, as recounted by Joseph, vividly describes seven robust and healthy cows emerging from the life-giving Nile River to graze in a fertile meadow. This vision of abundant livestock and lush pasture serves as a divine prelude, setting the stage for God's revelation of a coming period of immense prosperity for Egypt, underscoring His sovereign control over natural cycles and His providential foresight in preparing nations for both seasons of plenty and subsequent hardship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The verse "And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:" presents the initial, positive imagery of Pharaoh's dream, as recounted by Joseph.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse is rich in Imagery, painting a vivid picture of health and abundance. The description of "fatfleshed and well favoured" kine emerging from the "river" and feeding in a "meadow" appeals directly to the senses, allowing the audience to visualize the lushness and prosperity. Symbolism is central to this dream. The "seven kine" symbolize seven years of agricultural abundance and national prosperity, directly linked to the life-giving "Nile River." The "meadow" symbolizes the fertile land, capable of sustaining such bounty. This initial vision serves as Foreshadowing, setting up a stark contrast with the subsequent vision of the lean cows, which will symbolize the coming years of famine. The dream's structure, presenting a positive image followed by a negative one, employs Juxtaposition to highlight the dramatic shift in Egypt's future.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This initial vision from Pharaoh's dream profoundly illustrates God's sovereign control over creation and His providential care for humanity. Even in a pagan context, God reveals His plans, demonstrating that His dominion extends over all nations and natural processes. The imagery of abundant, healthy livestock emerging from the Nile underscores God's ability to provide immense blessing and prosperity, often through natural means, as part of His larger redemptive purposes. This divine foresight is not merely for warning but for the opportunity of wise stewardship and preparation, ultimately serving to preserve His chosen people, Israel, through Joseph's leadership.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Pharaoh's dream, as recounted by Joseph in Genesis 41:18, offers profound insights into God's character and our response to His providence. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of the world, revealing His plans and purposes even to those who do not know Him, for the ultimate good of His people and the advancement of His kingdom. The initial vision of abundance calls us to recognize and be grateful for seasons of blessing and prosperity, understanding them as gifts from God. It also underscores the importance of wise stewardship during times of plenty, preparing for future challenges, just as Joseph advised Pharaoh. We are encouraged to seek God's wisdom and discernment in all circumstances, trusting that He will provide what is necessary for us to navigate both the "fat" and "lean" seasons of our lives, always working for our ultimate good and His glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "kine" mean in this verse?
Answer: "Kine" is an archaic plural form of "cow" or "heifer." In Genesis 41:18, it refers to the seven healthy female cattle that Pharaoh saw in his dream. The Hebrew word used is pârâh (H6510), which specifically denotes a cow.
Why is the Nile River so central to Pharaoh's dream?
Answer: The Nile River was the absolute lifeblood of ancient Egypt, making it a fitting and culturally relevant symbol for divine communication to Pharaoh. Its annual floods deposited fertile silt, essential for agriculture, and provided water for irrigation and sustenance for livestock. The health of the Nile directly correlated with the nation's prosperity and survival. Therefore, the cows emerging from the Nile naturally symbolized the source of Egypt's abundance and the state of its agricultural well-being, indicating that the coming years of plenty, and subsequent famine, would be directly tied to the river's bounty.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dream, beginning with the vision of the "fatfleshed and well favoured" kine, powerfully foreshadows Christ's redemptive work. Joseph, by interpreting the divine revelation and guiding Egypt through years of both abundance and devastating famine, serves as a profound type of Christ. Just as Joseph, through God-given wisdom, became the deliverer who saved a nation and many peoples from physical starvation (see Genesis 45:5-8), so Christ is the ultimate Provider and Sustainer, offering spiritual nourishment and eternal salvation to all who believe. He is the one who perfectly interprets the divine will of God the Father (as seen in John 1:18), and through His wisdom, prepares His people for all seasons of life, ensuring their ultimate well-being and leading them through the "fat" and "lean" years of this world to an everlasting abundance in His glorious Kingdom (John 6:35 and Philippians 4:19).